>> Is it really that much simpler in other countries to connect with the proper provider? I was under the impression countries like canada handle simple problems like mine much more gracefully
In Canada and in Britain, you simply go to your local GP and get a referral, or go to A&E (Emergancy).
>> but serious issues remain problematic.
No, generally treatment in Canada and Britain for 'serious issues' is very good as well.
We all hear about the well publicised failures of the NHS and Canadian Healthcare, but by and large it works very well. I have seen close relatives and friends have cancer, septicemia, strokes, severe bone breaks, a life changing injury that made a friend a quadrapeligic, and more. For the most post part, the level of healthcare in Canada and Britain has been excellent.
My friend who had septicemia was in a very remote location, and once diagnosed was airlifted to a major hospital.
All of this is covered by public healthcare. It is amazing.
It is even more astounding that the USA still has this Byzantine 'private' system that tries to claim that it is an open market, but it is not.
From a macroeconomic point of view, the USA pays 18% or 19% of GDP for its healthcare system, where as Britain and Canada, and pretty much every other western country pay about 10%. (These are OECD figures) The American healthcare system is horribly inefficient, and puting in a public system ought to be every American's politicial priority.
Imagine that, a universal healthcare system is cheaper to operate than the private system?
The rhetoric and hyperbole that comes out of those who are vested in the status quo is outright criminal.
I agree, I have no real complaints about the Canadian system. ~14 years in Ontario versus ~29 years in US. Are there differences? Sure. Is there peace of mind knowing that I won't be uninsured or out of pocket for a relatively minor procedure that might cause me real financial hardship in the US. Goddamn right.
In Canada and in Britain, you simply go to your local GP and get a referral, or go to A&E (Emergancy).
>> but serious issues remain problematic.
No, generally treatment in Canada and Britain for 'serious issues' is very good as well.
We all hear about the well publicised failures of the NHS and Canadian Healthcare, but by and large it works very well. I have seen close relatives and friends have cancer, septicemia, strokes, severe bone breaks, a life changing injury that made a friend a quadrapeligic, and more. For the most post part, the level of healthcare in Canada and Britain has been excellent.
My friend who had septicemia was in a very remote location, and once diagnosed was airlifted to a major hospital.
All of this is covered by public healthcare. It is amazing.
It is even more astounding that the USA still has this Byzantine 'private' system that tries to claim that it is an open market, but it is not.
From a macroeconomic point of view, the USA pays 18% or 19% of GDP for its healthcare system, where as Britain and Canada, and pretty much every other western country pay about 10%. (These are OECD figures) The American healthcare system is horribly inefficient, and puting in a public system ought to be every American's politicial priority.
Imagine that, a universal healthcare system is cheaper to operate than the private system?
The rhetoric and hyperbole that comes out of those who are vested in the status quo is outright criminal.